Jim van den Bos from Wealden District Council said that as of this morning, the council had closed the steps to access the area. Pictures taken using a drone have since shown two cliff falls in the area.

Birling gap cliff fall. Photo by Eddie Mitchell

An 'intensive' search at the time found no sign of anyone hurt or missing after the 'significant' fall.

A spokesman for HM Coastguard said: "No one has been injured and there are no reports of anyone missing following an intensive search of the area, involving Coastguard rescue teams, a Coastguard rescue helicopter and Newhaven RNLI lifeboat as well as involvement from Sussex Police and Essex Fire and Rescue

"However, Birling Gap Coastguard Rescue officers on scene today are very concerned about public safety and the possibility of more falls and are warning people to give the cliff edges a very wide berth and not to get too close to the top of cliff edges or approach the base of cliffs either.

"As seen in other parts of the country this weekend, the period of dry weather, followed by rain and then a return to warm dry conditions again is increasing the risk of cliff instability and it makes cliff falls more likely."